Trump, ‘a pariah in Paris’

Much of the French press represented President Emmanuel Macron invitation for U.S. President Donald Trump to join in on his country’s July 14 Bastille Day celebration as an olive branch. That’s not surprising, given the frosty start to relations between the two — including a not-so-innocent handshake, plenty of trolling and some serious discord over climate and trade. Trump received a “bling bling” reception in Paris Thursday, as Libération put it.

France

Libération’s front page was devoted to the presidential tête-à-tête, leading with the headline, “Donald Trump: A pariah in Paris.” The paper mused: “Facing the temptation of isolationism of the American president, Emmanuel Macron hosts him for a bling bling visit. It is enough to coax him?”

“The French president wants to bring his guest out of his international isolation,” Le Monde wrote, calling Macron’s invitation a “diplomatic gamble.”

“In Paris, Emmanuel Macron hosts Donald Trump with warmth,” Le Figaro said, while also grumbling separately about Macron’s proposed cuts to the military budget for this fiscal year.

UK

The British press focused on the U.K. government’s newly unveiled Great Repeal Bill. Several zeroed-in on the fact Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, both of whom were in Brussels Thursday to meet with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, described the bill as a Westminster power-grab. The National, which is in favor of Scottish independence, superimposed Prime Minister Theresa May’s head onto Game of Thrones character Cersei Lannister’s body with the headline: “The great Tory power grab.” The left-leaning Independent led with “‘Ripe for abuse’: Brexit bill lets ministers scrap rights without scrutiny.” The Times: “We’ll block Brexit laws, warn Scots and Welsh,” and the Guardian with “PM’s EU repeal bill dismissed as ‘power grab.'”

Germany

The German press was all about Macron and Trump. Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote: “Macron lures Trump with cunning and caviar.” Frankfurter Allgemeine led with the headline: “Trump’s welcome diversion,” but also ran an opinion piece on its front page titled “Paris encounters,” arguing that while Macron is the man Germany wanted, he won’t just work on Berlin’s “wish list.” Still, in light of Chancellor Merkel’s visit to Paris Thursday, FA led with the headline, “Berlin and Paris proclaim ‘new vigor’ in their relationship.”